Open mike 16/01/2025

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 16th, 2025 - 36 comments
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Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

36 comments on “Open mike 16/01/2025 ”

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  1. westonIve been cheerleading 1
    16 January 2025 at 6:36 am

    Shits hitting the fan !! Russia is nearly at their ' Rhine again ' despite Nato despite the yanks despite the brits despite all those countries including nz despite the Right Sector and the others lets call them "neo" natzi's despite the 'clown ' Zelensky and the EU and i daresay not a few 'liberals ' on TS .

    To my mind theres nothing like watching a bit of Yank soul searching at breakfasttime !!

    Could there be anything more like empty words from Austin bowing out ?? Hes meant to be the bees knees type general an in the end nothing except bloated air .

    Will hegseth as sec def be any better ?? Daniel Davis from Deep Dive thinks so an puts up a good case imo



    [Second time, please fix your handle, thanks – Incognito]

    • Incognito 1.1
      16 January 2025 at 9:39 am

      Mod note

      • westonIve been cheerleading 1.1.1
        16 January 2025 at 1:06 pm

        sorry incog did try but bit crook this morn will do in dif order nxt time and thanks for straightening it out

    • joe90 1.2
      16 January 2025 at 2:00 pm

      Daniel Davis from Deep Dive thinks so

      Backing a credibly accused rapist with a history of sexual misconduct, public drunkenness at work, financial mismanagement at organisations he's led, and of disparaging women, LGBTQ folk and others in the military he wants to lead says volumes about your Mr Davis.

      /

  2. Tiger Mountain 2
    16 January 2025 at 7:27 am

    Gaza Ceasefire? unlikely to happen in the first instance, or stick if the Israeli Cabinet does approve, after all there are still a few buildings standing and kids with all their limbs.
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/539098/live-israel-hamas-reach-ceasefire-in-gaza-war-official-says

    • Subliminal 2.2
      16 January 2025 at 1:41 pm

      Though Trump is no friend of Palestine, inviting many of the nuttiest fruit cake settlers to his inauguration, he has shown that abandoning the Netanyahu bro hugs and endless repetition of declarations of unconditional support, can have results.

      The new ME envoy Steven Witkoff,shocked Israeli officials when he

      called from Qatar to tell Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's aides that he would be coming to Israel the following afternoon. The aides politely explained that was in the middle of the Sabbath but that the prime minister would gladly meet him Saturday night.

      Witkoff's blunt reaction took them by surprise. He explained to them in salty English that Shabbat was of no interest to him. His message was loud and clear. Thus in an unusual departure from official practice, the prime minister showed up at his office for an official meeting with Witkoff, who then returned to Qatar to seal the deal.

      This followed Trump tweeting a post from Jeffrey Sachs in which Sachs described Netanyahu as

      a ‘deep, dark son of a bitch’ and saying he’s gotten US into ‘endless wars’

      Netanyahu can only survive by continuing with the genocide he began and must be dragged kicking and screaming to the negotiating table and sat on while he squirms till he signs.

      He has always sabotaged every potential deal

      Netanyahu believes that an agreement on a hostage deal will most likely lead to his government's collapse – which he seeks to avoid at all costs. Defense officials who spoke with Haaretz said that in his attempt to derail negotiations, Netanyahu relied on classified intelligence and manipulated the sensitive information. This is how Netanyahu systematically foiled the negotiations to free the hostages.

      Indeed, Smotrich has come out violently opposed to the deal as it now stands

      Relatives of Israeli captives held in the Gaza Strip sharply and angrily criticized Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday for opposing a ceasefire-prisoner exchange agreement being negotiated in Qatar.

      Dozens of family members of the captives stormed into a meeting room in the Knesset, where the Finance Committee was convening to discuss the 2025 budget.

      A verbal altercation ensued with the minister, lasting over an hour, during which they accused him of "abandoning the captives."

  3. PsyclingLeft.Always 3
    16 January 2025 at 8:08 am

    Forestry giant Ernslaw One delays cyclone damage repairs, court extends deadlines

    A Malaysian-born forestry giant, Ernslaw One, continues to remain at the centre of the storm after wreaking havoc on Te Tairāwhiti's fragile environment with forestry debris.

    Despite being fined for the catastrophic destruction caused during the 2018 cyclones, the company is yet to fully rectify its forestry processes as ordered.

    WTF, why ?!

    Now, it has left the Environment Court with no choice but to extend deadlines, further delaying peace of mind for a region heading into cyclone season.

    IMO..they are taking the piss !

    The conditions set by the Environment Court had a deadline of December 2024, however when the Gisborne District Council conducted a site visit in November, it noted areas of the forest remained non-compliant and still had high-risk issues.

    The council told the Environment Court that although some work had been done, the work was "piecemeal" and representatives for Ernslaw who also attended the site visit expressed surprise at the minimalist nature of the works completed.

    They were initially fined $225,000 and ordered to pay $130,000 reparation to locally affected families. Which is basically fuck all to this company…or anywhere near adequate, considering the damage they caused !

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/539078/forestry-giant-ernslaw-one-delays-cyclone-damage-repairs-court-extends-deadlines

    And this..UNsurprising really.

    Unanswered questions over why forestry giant Ernslaw One lost environment label

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/509799/unanswered-questions-over-why-forestry-giant-ernslaw-one-lost-environment-label

    UNsurprising that foreign owned companies..give a fuck about NZ's Environment….

    • Obtrectator 3.1
      16 January 2025 at 4:23 pm

      In parallel with the atomisation of society, we seem here to have atomisation of corporate responsibility. You apparently can't take any effective proceedings against anybody except the johnnies who actually undertook the deficient work … that's if you can identify exactly who they were.

      "I'm not responsible for what the subbies get up to … "

      It won't do. Someone has to have the onus of ultimate responsibility formally laid on them, before the work begins. Anything goes wrong, they're the ones carrying the can, no buck-passing. Up to them to get hold of the people at fault and exact recompense.

      In this present case, a wee bit of asset seizure might prompt Ernslaw to fulfil their obligations. Though that might only result in a whacking great lawsuit in some international “court”.

      • PsyclingLeft.Always 3.1.1
        17 January 2025 at 8:57 am

        In this present case, a wee bit of asset seizure might prompt Ernslaw to fulfil their obligations.

        That would certainly grab Ernslaw One's ,and similar shonky companies, attention : )

        Sadly cant see it happening anytime soon….

  4. kejo 4
    16 January 2025 at 8:31 am

    Unanswered questions: Frightfully convienient corporate games. I,ve never believed those stickers anyway.

    • PsyclingLeft.Always 4.1
      17 January 2025 at 8:52 am

      Well…. yes. IMO being Aware is critical. Critical Thinking even : ) To most things. Sadly many..aren't.

      However at least with stickers, there is some form of oversight. For sure it needs due diligence, and enforcement from those paid to….

  5. Ad 5
    16 January 2025 at 9:19 am

    Shoutout to Qatar as the consistently successful Middle East negotiator over a decade.

  6. JennyCe 6
    16 January 2025 at 9:19 am

    ‘
    “The US ADMITS Israel Has LOST In Gaza” Owen Jones

    The huge resurgence in Hamas recruitment and resistance, and the global revulsion at Israel's genocide, and Netanyahu's political isolation at home, have all added to the political pressure that made this ceasefire possible.

    [Please fix your handle, thanks – Incognito]

  7. JennyCe 7
    16 January 2025 at 9:29 am

    'The real new year celebrations can begin

    "Gaza ceasefire: Hamas and Israel agree deal" Channel 4 News

    https://www.channel4.com/news/gaza-ceasefire-hamas-and-israel-agree-deal

    [Please fix your handle, thanks – Incognito]

    • Belladonna 7.1
      16 January 2025 at 9:43 am

      Praying that it sticks. And isn't just a hiatus.

      • Jenny 7.1.1
        16 January 2025 at 4:09 pm

        '

        Flanked by his Vice President Kamala Harris and his Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, US President Joe Biden officially announces the ceasefire in Gaza

        (Harris stony faced, displays no emotion. Blinken looks close to tears.)

    • Incognito 7.2
      16 January 2025 at 9:44 am

      Three Mod notes for you this morning + one duplicate comment trashed.

      If you insist on spamming TS with YT clips and links that are merely variations on a theme and making work for Mods before I’ve had my morning coffee, you’ll find stronger push-back.

    • Jenny 7.3
      16 January 2025 at 1:59 pm

      Sorry ’bout that. Fat finger syndrome strikes again. My apologies/>

      Just so excited about the Ceasefire.

  8. SPC 8
    16 January 2025 at 9:53 am

    The first question about the post IDF era for Gaza, is will the new interim result in full control being restored to the PA?

    Critically, Gaza’s security forces would be comprised of personnel from other countries – most likely Arab states although he didn’t name them – alongside “vetted” Palestinian forces.

    Likewise civil government meant to replace Hamas – rebuilding, running schools, hospitals, public funds, water etc – would be a mix of some PA, some local leaders, “international partners” and the UN.

    In reality the plan is a compromise designed to appease the Israeli leadership which opposes full PA control of Gaza, while also bringing in Arab support and trying to prevent long-term Israeli occupation of Gaza on the ground.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c3rwqpj70ert?page=3

  9. SPC 9
    16 January 2025 at 10:05 am

    The aid factor, end to displacement and services infrastructure.

    This deal will allow hundreds of thousands of displaced people in Gaza city and southern Gaza to go back to their homes, villages, and towns.

    A very important issue for Palestinians is that part of the deal involves 600 trucks of aid [every day of the ceasefire] and medical supplies, including tents, being allowed into Gaza from the Rafah crossing.

    We understand this will also include 50 fuel lorries to operate what is remaining of hospitals, fix the power stations, repair sewage and water system, and start the process of finding solutions for all the problems people have been suffering for over a year.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c3rwqpj70ert?page=2

  11. SPC 11
    16 January 2025 at 10:39 am

    Phases.

    1.

    He said the first phase would last for six weeks and include a "full and complete ceasefire," a withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, older adults and wounded people, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Humanitarian assistance would surge, with hundreds of trucks entering Gaza each day.

    2.

    The second and most difficult phase would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza.

    3.See 8 above.

    The third phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from devastation caused by the war.

    Past issue

    Hamas had been demanding assurances for a permanent end to the war and complete withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza. Israel, meanwhile, has repeatedly said it would not halt the war until it destroys Hamas; military and governing capabilities.

    https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/01/16/israel-and-hamas-agree-to-ceasefire-deal-mediators-say/

  12. SPC 12
    16 January 2025 at 11:07 am

    Congestion charging works.

    More use of mass transit, more funding for it and less need for new urban motorways.

    Will Simeon Brown survive awareness of the cognitive dissonance inherent in his transport policy, will Nicola Willis run over him to get to the money saved by not building unnecessary roads/tunnels? See the next episode sponsored by Lux, a Unilever graduate.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/538943/traffic-falls-in-new-york-city-after-9-congestion-fee-introduced

  13. adam 13
    16 January 2025 at 11:57 am

    God Bless Bill Burr. The first 3:15 minutes pure gold.

    Trigger warning – Bill talks about how the real world works.

  14. SPC 14
    16 January 2025 at 2:10 pm

    Some advice to those doing SC submissions online, do it offline first and paste onto their format.

    They use “link” on any text in the box – so it is not possible to copy anything out.

  15. tWig 15
    16 January 2025 at 2:34 pm

    The Fielding-Rangitīkei Herald 16th Jan reports that Minister Penk rejected the Rangitikei district council's request to have the name updated to include the macron. The Rangitīkei river got its macron in NZ geographic name place changes in 2020, and the geographic board supported the update to the district name.

    "Haunuiananaia…was the ancestor of the Te Ati Hau a Paparangi people of the Whanganui region. Haunui had reason to pursue his errant wife Wairaka who had run off with a slave. He set out from his home at Te Matau a Maui following the path of Wairaka and her lover across the island and down the west coast. After exacting his revenge he decided to go home via the East Coast. Haunui named many of the landmark features that he came across during his mission."

    Rangitīkei translates to Haunuiananaia's 'day of striding'.

    What a small-minded response, combined with government overreach.

    With thanks to the librarian for showing me where to toggle to the Māori keyboard at the library.

  16. joe90 16
    16 January 2025 at 7:21 pm

    She knew.

    .

    Parable of the Talents is told from the points of view of Lauren Oya Olamina, her daughter Larkin Olamina/Asha Vere, and Lauren's husband Taylor Franklin Bankole. The novel consists of journal entries by Lauren and Bankole and passages by Asha Vere. In 2032, five years after the events of the previous novel Parable of the Sower, Lauren has founded a new community called Acorn centered around her religion, Earthseed, which is predicated on the belief that humanity's destiny is to travel beyond Earth and live on other planets in order for humanity to reach adulthood.

    The novel is set against the backdrop of a dystopian United States that has come under the grip of a Christian fundamentalist denomination called "Christian America" led by President Andrew Steele Jarret. Seeking to restore American power and prestige, and using the slogan "Make America Great Again", Jarret embarks on a crusade to cleanse America of non-Christian faiths. Slavery has resurfaced with advanced "shock collars" being used to control slaves. Virtual reality headsets known as "Dreamasks" are also popular since they enable wearers to escape their harsh reality.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Talents_(novel)

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octavia_E._Butler

  17. SPC 17
    16 January 2025 at 9:26 pm

    The latest on the cease-fire agreement. Note how much it has been pared back from the original report.

    If the deal is adopted, it will unfold in three phases:

    Phase one starts Sunday, according to mediator Qatar. Here’s what’s involved:

    • A six-week halt to fighting would begin, opening negotiations on ending the war.
    • Thirty-three of the nearly 100 hostages would be released over that period, although it’s unclear if more than half are alive.
    • The United States says this phase also includes a withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas of Gaza. That would allow many displaced Palestinians to return to what’s left of their homes. Many neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble.
    • Humanitarian assistance would surge, with hundreds of trucks entering Gaza each day.
    • Final details that are still being worked out include the list of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners to be freed.

    Phase two is harder. Here are the details:

    • Negotiations for this phase are to begin on Day 16 of the ceasefire.
    • This phase would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers.
    • Israeli forces would withdraw from the Gaza Strip.
    • However, Israel has said it will not agree to a complete withdrawal until Hamas’ military and political capabilities are eliminated.
    • Hamas says it will not hand over the last hostages until Israel removes all its troops.

    Phase three

    calls for the return of the remaining bodies of hostages still in Gaza and the start of a major reconstruction in Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding. It’s also unclear who will foot the bill.

    https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-ceasefire-updates#00000194-6c22-dc66-a1bf-eeeae72a0000

  18. SPC 18
    16 January 2025 at 9:41 pm

    The new language and culture expected by the new government of the public service explained by its change agent.

    In his letter to about 40 chief executives in December, Roche said the existing model no longer served its needs in the context of a rapidly changing operating environment, the fiscal position, the required focus on growth, and the need to improve the quality and timeliness of decision-making.

    cheap and fast, and in accord with the new political will.

    The system was overly complicated and needed to be simplified. It was not reflective of modern business models.

    Among the problems he cited were a lack of data use in decision-making, and assumptions being made about the Treaty of Waitangi.

    Getting the Treaty out of the way. Finding data (consultants, or a cheap as possible IT upgrade)

    “We are not using enough data to improve the quality and timeliness of decision-making,” the letter said.

    “A lot of what we try in terms of policy is impeded by assumptions (rather than analysis) that ‘this will breach the Treaty.’”

    The public sector also needed to be more responsive.

    “There is a perception we are not listening to what ministers need [or] want.”

    There was a lack of innovation and/or real-time modification for better delivery and outcomes.

    massaging the stats to suggest better outcomes to please ministers?

    https://archive.li/dhfei#selection-4017.0-4047.94